Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Truckee, CA

Truckee, CA is in USDA zones 6a to 6b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is June 9 and the first fall frost September 25.

Truckee on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zones6a–6b−10 to 0 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostJun 9

First frostSep 25

Growing season108 days

6a 1 ZIP 6b 1 ZIP

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Truckee, CA…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Truckee, CA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostJune 9median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 25only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 25median — 10% chance by Sep 9

Growing season108 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 24 and returns around October 12.

From the NOAA station Tahoe City, CA, elevation 6,231 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Truckee

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 19

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 12 – May 26

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

LettuceSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 16 – Jun 30

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 23 – Jul 7

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 16 – Jun 30

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 31 – Aug 14

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 11 – Oct 16

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 9) and first fall frost (Sep 25) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 96161 came on Mar 21 — 26 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16).

average
Apr 162026
Mar 21

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Truckee, CA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 96161 is Fugawee — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter6%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Fugawee-Rock outcrop-Tahoma complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 96161; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Truckee, CA

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights227nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,222base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 57 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 23 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation38.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall183 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Donner Mem Sp, CA (2 mi away); precipitation: Donner Mem Sp, CA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Truckee

California planting zones →

Questions about Truckee

What planting zone is Truckee, CA?

Truckee, CA is in USDA hardiness zones 6a to 6b on the 2023 map (6a: −10 to −5 °F; 6b: −5 to 0 °F).

When is the last frost in Truckee, CA?

The median last spring frost is June 9 and the median first fall frost is September 25 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tahoe City station).

When can I plant a garden in Truckee, CA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Apr 28 – May 19; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Jun 16, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Truckee, CA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 57 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Truckee, CA get?

About 38.8 inches of precipitation a year and 183 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).